The lacquer painting exhibition "Sacred Traces" (Dấu thiêng) is a profound journey of discovery into the culture, history and soul of the Vietnamese people. Through 52 works divided into four themes, artist Chu Nhật Quang skilfully combines personal memories, traditional values and a contemporary perspective to create a panoramic picture of Viet Nam, its people and Hanoi.
The theme "Beginnings" (Khởi) opens the exhibition with 14 lacquer paintings focusing on still life. In these works, Chu Nhật Quang not only seeks to recreate familiar everyday objects such as fruit, ceramic vases and household items, but also breathes new life into them through a subtle combination of colour and lacquer texture. The works reflect the artist's vivid memories of his time learning pottery, when he discovered the refinement and unique beauty of each simple form. Each painting is not only an artistic performance but also a contemplation of the aesthetic values of a simple yet meaningful life.
The theme "Roots" (Cội), comprising 17 paintings, takes viewers on a deep journey to explore the culture and heritage of the Vietnamese people. Through the figure of Mother Âu Cơ and the art of water puppetry, the artist evokes stories of sacred origins and the silent sacrifices of the farmers who have nurtured and preserved the nation's age-old culture. The paintings also reveal the contrast between tradition and modernity, as a reminder of the risk that folk art may fade away. Images of a banyan tree beside a pond, a buffalo carrying a temple on its back, and farmers working on terraced fields all convey a message about the bond between people and nature and long-standing cultural values. Water puppetry, a symbol of traditional Vietnamese art, is also portrayed in a spirit of preservation and development in the modern context.
The theme "Spirit" (Linh), with nine paintings, continues to evoke nostalgia for culture and heritage. The artist recreates the old water pavilion stages with water puppet performances, the famous Thầy Pagoda and scenes of everyday life in ancient villages. From images of a meditating monk to the lotus flower symbolising enlightenment, each painting is steeped in philosophy and spirituality, reflecting the aspiration to seek truth and self-perfection. The Thăng Long Imperial Citadel and the Turtle Tower are also vividly depicted, expressing the endurance of Vietnamese culture through all the ups and downs of history. These works are not only a reminder of the nation's historical values but also a call to protect cultural heritage in the modern context.
Finally, the theme "Cradle" (Nôi), with 12 paintings, evokes memories of the homeland, village communal houses and water puppetry – distinctive cultural symbols of Viet Nam's farming communities. The paintings of water puppetry not only recreate the life and customs of the wet-rice civilisation but also clearly portray the nation's unique cultural identity. Through images such as the phoenix, the fish and lively puppets, the artist conveys a message of harmony between people and nature and the hope of preserving the nation's precious traditional values across generations.
Below are the 52 works in the exhibition: